San Francisco Giants beat Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2

SAN FRANCISCO -- The long hair and 99 mph fastball are long gone, along with the historic statistics that put two Cy Young Awards in Tim Lincecum's trophy case. But The Freak is still beloved in San Francisco, and at every turn Thursday night, Giants fans showed their appreciation.

The standing ovations got louder with each passing inning as Lincecum sailed through his final start before his first foray into free agency. He gave up two runs over seven innings in the Giants' 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and after a postgame television interview, he tipped his cap to thousands who were still standing behind the home dugout. One fan held a sign that said, "Timmy, don't leave!"

The right-hander said he's unsure of what he will do when he hits free agency.

"It's about putting myself in the best situation to succeed in this game, whether that's with this team or another," Lincecum said. "I think that's going to be my main focus this offseason."

Lincecum said he wouldn't dismiss anything, including the possibility of quickly re-signing with the Giants if a fair offer is made.

"You know, I'm a product of familiarity," he said. "And I like this team."

The feeling is mutual, even after two up-and-down seasons. On Wednesday night, manager Bruce Bochy smiled as he told stories about Barry Zito, who has made his final start for the organization. But Bochy wasn't ready to wax nostalgic when asked about Lincecum on Thursday.

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"I wouldn't go into that too much, because I certainly hope Timmy is back with us," Bochy said before the game.

The Giants will make a qualifying offer to Lincecum, likely to be around $14 million. The 29-year-old is expected to turn it down, opting instead to hit the open market, where Lincecum is sure to be one of the most unique free-agent cases in recent memory.

Lincecum has proved to be durable and malleable as the years passed and his velocity waned. After a disappointing 2012 season, he has re-established himself as a solid starter and finished his year with a 10-14 record and 4.37 ERA. The lows come more often these days, but the highs are still as good as it gets, as Lincecum showed July 13 when he struck out 13 in a 148-pitch no-hitter in San Diego.

He worked in and out of trouble Thursday, giving up eight hits in seven innings but also striking out six. Lincecum still has swing-and-miss stuff, and he aimed the arsenal at talented rookie Yasiel Puig, striking him out three times.

The Dodgers scored on Adrian Gonzalez's sacrifice fly in the first inning and back-to-back doubles by Juan Uribe and Mark Ellis in the fourth. The Giants got both runs back in the fifth, and Lincecum contributed to the rally, pushing Nick Noonan over to third with a perfect sacrifice bunt. That warranted another standing ovation from the AT&T Park crowd.

"I thought that was probably one of the best sacrifice bunts I ever gave in my life." Lincecum said, smiling. "I was like, 'Man, that must have been great.' That ovation was pretty special. I always have an awkward way of acknowledging it, but I did have an appreciation and respect for the reception."

The Giants took the lead in the eighth when Angel Pagan's liner to left skipped off and over the top of the left field wall.

Throughout the day of his final 2013 start, Lincecum was his usual jovial, loose self. He strolled into AT&T Park at 3:15, wearing headphones and a knit beanie that has become his trademark since the long locks were cut off last offseason. Lincecum shook hands with a team employee, waved to several cameramen and then got going with a routine that has helped turn his career around.

For years, Lincecum would shock teammates by crushing sandwiches and slices of pizza just before starts, and would stun reporters by sitting down for informal dugout chats as game time approached. He's more serious now, more committed to studying hitters and their tendencies, and that's helped Lincecum survive with a lesser fastball.

"I feel like I've got some upside," he said. "I've been willing to make some changes, and I don't feel like I've gotten anywhere near where I feel I should be."

The Giants are hopeful that he finds that new peak while wearing their uniform.